Evaluation of two different resistance training volumes on the skin surface temperature of the elbow flexors assessed by thermography

Resistance Training (RT) variables allow different hypertrophy methodologies such as the drop-sets, however, the physiologic and structural acute effects on the muscle related to the use of this methodology are still unclear. Surface skin temperature (TSK) is considerate a marker of the inflammatory muscle response induced by RT. The aim of the present study was to observe the acute effect of the two resistance training volumes, organized in the drop-sets, on Tsk of the Elbow Flexors. 17 Caucasian men performed an elbow flexors exercise (10 repetitions per set, with 80%, 60% and 40% of the 10RM), organized in drop-set, in two different experimental sessions with a 7 days interval. The sessions differed only on the volume of the RT (3 × 6 sets). The Tsk was assessed by thermography in the moments before, immediately as well as 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post exercise. When 6 sets were performed there was significantly higher Tsk values when compared to 3 sets, either in Control Arm (CA) (p = 0.015) and Experimental Arm (EA) (p = 0.015). It seems that a higher training volumes (6 sets) possibly induce more muscle response than a lower training volumes (3 sets) in the follow days post RT.